William benjamin robeson



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MR INLET DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 25. 1918.

1,304,374. Patented May 20, 1919.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM BENJAMIN ROBESON, PORT I-IU RON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 WILLIAM INKERMAN GEAR, OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA.

AIR-INLET DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 20, 1919.

Application filed February 25, 1918. Serial No. 219,067.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, WILLIAM B. RoBEsoN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Port Huron, in the county of St. Clair and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air- Inlet Devices, of which the following is a description. 7

My invention relates to air inlet devices, and more particularly to an improved auxiliary air inlet device for internal combustion engines. 7

It is well known that in order to obtain the best results, the fuel mixture supplied to internal combustion engines must, under certain conditions of operation, have a greater amount of air mixed with the gas than under other conditions. For example, in starting an internal combustion engine especially in cold weather, the fuel mixture supplied to the engine should be rich in gas and contain a comparatively small amount of air, whereas, after the engine has heated up, the amount of gas in the mixture should be decreased and the amount of air increased. Also, in cold weather,,the mixture should be richer in gas than in hot weather, and in a heavy or humid atmosphere it should contain less air than in'a rarefied or dry atmosphere.

The principal object of my invention is tov provide an improved device of snnple and, inexpensive construction for controlling the.

admixture of additionalair with the fuel mixture, which is preferably located between the carbureter and the engine and which is preferably operable by the suction of the engine.

Another object of my invention is to pro;

vide the air inlet device with a novel adjustment whereby the amount of air added to the fuel mixture may be easily regulated to suit various conditions of operation.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of this character which may be readily rendered inoperative to admitair to the fuel mixture.

My invention also contemplates the provision of my improved air inlet device as an attachment capable of being readily and quickly applied to gas engines already in use.

Other objects and features of my invention will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be more clearly understood, attention is directed to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the intake manifold of a gas engine and a portion of a fuel supply conduit leading to said manifold and having applied theretoan auxiliary air inlet device in accordance with my invention; A

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, the screen being omitted and the air inlet device being shown in operative condition I Fig. 3 is a view similar to- Fig. 2 showing theJ1 air inlet device in inoperative condition; an

Fig. 4 is a fragmental sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, reference character 1 represents the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine from which one or more inlet pipes 2 lead to the engine cylinder or cylinders (not shown). A fuel supply conduit connects the carbureter (not shown) with the manifold 1, this conduit preferablycomprising a pipe section 3, preferably formed integrally with the manifold, a pipel, and a member 5 securedbetween thesection 3 and pipe 4. The adjacent ends of the pipe section 3 and pipe 4: are respectively rovided with similar shaped flanges 6 and and the member 5 is shaped to correspond with these flanges. The shape of member 5 and flanges 6 and 'Z is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The pipe section 3 and pipe 4: are firmly securedtogether with the m'em: her 5 therebetween, as bymeans of bolts 8 extending through pairs of diametrically opposed projecting portions or cars '10 with which the member 5 and flanges 6 and 7 are provided. The member 5 is provided with an opening or aperture'9 extending radially therethrough, preferably midway between the ears 10, which constitutes an air inlet opening for the fuel supply conduit. The opening 9 is preferably substantially rectangular in cross section'and its walls are preferably inclined so that it gradually and uniformly increases in cross-sectional area toward its inner end. Reference character 11 represents a valve for controlling the admission of air to the supply conduit through the opening 9, this valve preferably being wedgeshaped with its side conforming to the inclined walls of the opening so as to fit tightly within this opening, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be apparent that the suction created by the engine in pumping fuel from the carbureter through the supply conduit will tend to open the valve 11 inwardly and draw in air through the opening 9. The valve 11 is biased to closed position by suitable means, preferably comprising a resilient member, which acts on the valve through a headed member 16 extending through and having threaded connection with the valve. This resilient member preferably consists of a spring 12 formed of a fiat piece of resilient metal which is fixed or secured at one end 13, as by means of a screw 1 1, to the inside of the member 5, preferably at a point substantially diametrically opposite the valve 11. The free end portion of the spring 12 extends loosely through a loop or stirrup 18 secured to the inside of the member 5 in such a. position that the free end 15 of the spring, as the latter contracts and expands, is guided thereby in a path toward and away from the fixed end of the spring. The inner end of the threaded member 16 bears against the spring 12 at a point on its outer surface preferably diametrically opposite the screw 14, but is preferably unattached to the spring. The head 17 at the outer end of member 16 serves as a means whereby the same may be readily adjusted for a purpose which will presently appear.

A fine mesh circular screen 19 extends across the fuel supply conduit at a point between the air inlet va ve 11 and the manifold 1, being preferably held in position between the flange 6 of pipe section 3 and the member 5. A shallow annular groove provided in the face of the member 5 adjacent the flange 6 forms a shoulder 20 against which the peripheral edge portion of the screen seats. The screen 19 is preferably convex toward the manifold 1 and serves to filter the air admitted through the opening 9 and to catch all dust and dirt therein.

The operation of my improved air-inlet device is as follows: The spring 12 constantly tends to hold the valve 11 closed under a yielding pressure. When the engine, with the member 16 in the position shown in Fig. 2, draws in fuel mixture through the fuel supply conduit, the suction produced thereby will open the valve inwardly against the action of spring 12 and draw in air through the opening 9, which air admixes with and dilutes the fuel mixture to be supplied to the engine. As hereinbefore inclicated, in order to obtain the best results, the proportions of gas and air in the fuel mixture should be varied for different conditions under which the engine is operated. The admission of the proper amount of additional air to the fuel mixture for any given condition of operation may be readily and quickly obtained by regulating the effective pressure of spring 12 on the valve 11 by proper adjustment of the headed member 16 with respect to the valve.

It is desirable on starting some engines in cold weather, for example, the engine of a Ford automobile,- that the fuel mixture supplied shall be very rich in gas and accordingly that no or substantially no additional air be admixed therewith between the carburetor and the engine. In order to obtain this result, I make the spring 12 of such length that the free end 15 thereof, in normal operation of the inlet device, is but a slight distance from the fixed end 13 thereof, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the adjustment of the member 16 inwardly a certain amount will contract the spring 12 until the end 15 is in engagement with the fixed end 13, as shown in Fig. 3. When the spring 12 is contracted to this position, it constitutes a complete rigid ring which is unyielding to the tendency of the valve 11 to move inwardly under the suction created by the engine in drawing fuel through fuel supply conduit, and consequently the valve is firmly held or locked thereby in closed position with its inclined sides in close engagement with the corresponding inclined walls of opening 9. Therefore, the admission of any substantial amount of additional air through opening 9 with the parts adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 3, is prevented. It will be observed that member 16 constitutes simple unitary means for rendering the resilient member or spring 12 rigid, and for effecting the locking of the valve 11 in closed position. I consider these features of my invention as Very important.

The member 5 and the parts carried thereby comprise a simple attachment capable of being readily applied with small expense to internal combustion engines in use to attain the results set forth herein.

While I have specifically described my improved inlet device as applied to and adapted for application to the fuel supply conduits of internal combustion engines, it is obvious that it is also adapted for use in other connections. Moreover, it is to be understood that the inlet device specifically shown and described herein is subject to many modifications and changes in the size, shape and arrangement of its parts without departure from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

7 Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is as follows 1. In a device of the class described, a conduit having an aperture extending through a wall thereof, an inwardly opening valve for said aperture, a. spring normally tending to maintain said valve closed, and

means comprising a member extending through and adjustable with respect to said valve for regulating the effective pressure of said spring, said member having engagement with said spring intermediate the ends thereof.

2. In a device of the class described, a conduit having an aperture extending through a wall thereof, an inwardly opening valve for said aperture, a resilient element normally tending to maintain said valve closed, and means comprising a member threaded through said valve for adjusting said element and having engagement with such element intermediate the ends thereof.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fuel supply pipe for internal combustion engines, a valve operable by the suction of the engine for controlling the admission of air to said conduit, and resilient means for normally yieldingly opposing the opening of said valve, said means being adapted by a predetermined adjustment thereof irrespective vof its strength to be rendered non-yielding to opening movement of said valve.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fuel supply pipe for internal combustion engines, a valve operable by the suction of the engine for controlling the admission of air to said conduit, resilient means fornormally yieldingly opposing the opening of said valve, and means applied to said valve and adapted by a predetermined adjustment thereof irrespective of the strength of said resilient means to render such resilient means non-yielding to opening movement of the valve.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fuel supply pipe for internal combustion engines, a valve operable by the suction of the engine for controllin the admission of air to said conduit, a resilient member for normally yieldingly opposing the opening of said valve, and means applied to said valve and having engagement with said member intermediate its ends for adjusting such resilient member.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fuel supply pipe for internal combustion engines, a valve operable by the suction of the engine for controlling the admission of air to said conduit, a resilient member for normally yieldingly opposing the opening of said valve, and a member constituting an adjustable connection between said valve and said resilient member and having engagement with the latter in.

termediate the ends thereof.

7. In a device of the class described, a conduit having an opening in a wall thereof, a valve for said opening, resilient means for yieldingly opposing the opening of said valve, and means adapted by a predetermined adjustment thereof irrespective of the strength of said resilient means to render the latter substantially non-yielding to opening movement of said valve and to effect the holding of said valve tightly closed.

8. In a device of the class described, a conduit having an opening in a wall thereof, a valve for said opening, resilient means for yieldingly opposing the opening of said valve, and means applied to said valve adapted by a predetermined adjustment thereof irrespective of the strength of said resilient means to render the latter substantially non-yielding to opening movement of said valve and to effect the holdingof said valve tightly closed.

9. In a'device of the class described, the combination of a fuel supply conduit for internal combustion engines, a valve operable by suction of the engine for controlling the admission of air to said conduit, resilient means normally yieldingly opposing the opening of said valve, and unitary means adapted by. a predetermined adjustment irrespective of the strength of said resilient means to render the latter rigid and to efiect the holding of said valve closed.

10. In a device of the class described, a valve, a valve-seat therefor, and means tending to maintain said valve in engagement with its seat comprising a resilient member and a member adjustably connected with the valve and bearing on-said resilient member intermediate the ends thereof.

11. In a device of the class described, a valve, a seat therefor, and means normally tending to move said valve toward the seat comprising a resilient member fixed at one end only and a member adjustably connected with said valve and bearing on said resilient member intermediate the-ends thereof. W

12. In a device of the class described, a valve member, a seat therefor, and means normally tending to move said valve member toward the seat comprising a resilient member fixed at one end only and an element constituting an adjustable connection between said members and having engagement with said resilient member intermediate the ends thereof.

13. In a device of the class described, a valve, a seat therefor, means normally tending to move said valve toward the seat comprising a curved resilient member fixed at one end only, and means for adjusting said member so that its free end will abut the fixed end thereof and thereby render such member substantially rigid.

14. In a device of the class described, a fuel supply conduit having an opening through its wall, a Wedge-shaped inwardly opening valve, the Walls of said opening being inclined to conform to said valve and forming a seat therefor, a curved spring within said conduit having one end fixed to the wall of the conduit and its other end IlO free, and a member extending through and having an adjustable connection with said valve, the inner end of said member bearing against said spring.

15. An attachment for connection in the fuel supply conduit of an internal combustion engine, comprising a hollow member having an opening through its side, a valve for said opening, a resilient member applied to the hollow member normally tending to hold said valve closed, and means comprising a member extending through and adjustable with respect to said valve and having engagement with said resilient member intermediate the ends thereof for regulating the effective pressure of such resilient member.

16. An attachment for connection in the fuel supply conduit of an internal combustion engine, comprising a hollow member having an opening through its side, an i; wardly opening valve for said opening, a resilient member within the hollow member having one end fixed and its other end free, and a member threaded through said valve and having its inner end bearing on said resilient member.

17. An attachment for connection in the fuel supply conduit of an internal combustion engine, comprising a hollow member having an opening through its side, an inwardly opening valve for said opening, a curved spring within the hollow member having one end fixed and its other end free, and a member threaded through said valve and having its inner end bearing on said curved spring, said member being adapted when adjusted inwardly a predetermined Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,

amount with reference to the valve to contract th said spring so that the free end thereof will abut the fixed end thereof to thereby render such spring substantially ri id.

18. The combination of a fuel supply conduit for internal combustion engines, and an air inlet device applied to said conduit and operable by suction of the engine to admit air to the conduit, said device comprising a resilient member and means adapted by a predetermined adjustment irrespective of the strength of said member to render the latter rigid and thereby the inlet device inoperable by suction of the engine to admit air to said conduit.

19. In a device of the class described, a

valve, and means tending to hold said valve o in closed position comprising a curved resilient member fixed at one end only and adjustable so that its free end will abut the fixed end thereof.

20. In a device of the class described, a fuel supply conduit having an opening through its wall, an inwardly opening valve for said opening, a curved spring within said conduit having one end fixed to the wall of the conduit and its other end normally free, and a member extending through and having an adjustable connection with said valve, the inner end of said member bearing against said spring.

This specification signed and witnessed this 15th day of February, 1918.

WILLIAM BENJAMIN ROBESON. WVitnesses FRANK \V. FAULKNER, A. MERLE SMITH.

by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

